DISCLAIMER
“It’s no secret that there is a sociopolitical message in our latest album, SHREWD, BRITANNIA, and we thought it an interesting experiment to ask AI what it thought that message is.
Needless to say, its analysis is fascinating. Not only did some of its suggestions surprise us but the compendium contains both messages that we actively want to draw attention to, as well as some that we either pulled from subconsciously or we feel did not affect our work at all. Regardless of which is true for any one point it made, it all made for some thought-provoking discourse.
This analysis is neither our opinion, nor a definitive answer.
We urge you to read through this computer’s opinion, meditate on the question yourself, and let us know your opinion. Did it hit the nail on the head? Or did it completely miss the mark?”
- BRAIN APE
"SHREWD, BRITANNIA"
In Context, according to AI
Political Spectrum
"SHREWD, BRITANNIA" cannot be neatly categorised as simply "right-wing" or “left-wing”. Instead, the album is overwhelmingly anti-authoritarian, anti-totalitarian, and deeply critical of the corrupting nature of power and ideology, regardless of where it falls on the political spectrum.
Critique of Nationalism:The album's most explicit political target is extreme nationalism and the deification of the state: "There is no other god. He is Britannia". This critique, especially of ultranationalism and its manipulative aspects, tends to align more with liberal or left-leaning perspectives that are wary of jingoism and state overreach. However, it's a critique of extreme nationalism, not patriotism itself.
Critique of Control and Manipulation:The methods of control described - “art persuasion”, "app invasion”, “stigmatise", "kin division”, "killing lies” - are hallmarks of authoritarian regimes, which can manifest on both the far-right - fascism - and the far-left - Stalinism, totalitarian communism. The album is less concerned with the specific economic or social policies of a government and more with its capacity for control and manipulation of its citizens.
Moral and Psychological Themes:The album delves heavily into themes of ego, moral compromise, and the search for integrity - “giving into ego”, "placing lust ahead of soul”, "losing his religion". These are universal human struggles that transcend specific political ideologies. The album warns against human failings like hubris and complacency, which can afflict individuals and societies of any political leaning.
Influence from Diverse Sources:- Orwell’s "Nineteen Eighty-Four” is a critique of totalitarianism, often associated with the dangers of communism, but broadly applicable to any state that seeks total control.
- Huxley's “Brave New World” critiques a technologically advanced, pleasure-controlled society, which isn't inherently left or right.
- “Fight Club”, while often interpreted as anti-capitalist - a left-leaning critique -, also contains elements that appeal to alienated individuals across the political spectrum, and its critique of emasculation could be interpreted differently.
Focus on Dehumanisation:The album's emphasis on "sterilised, colonise”, "aptitude none”, and "scum", points to a concern for the dehumanising effects of systems that seek to homogenise or suppress individuality. This is a fundamental human rights concern that isn't exclusive to one wing of politics.
The album's stance on "progress"
Based on the lyrics, especially the extended monologue in "QUARRELS' CONSEQUENCE" and its repetition in "ODE BRITANNICA", the album is not arguing against progress. Instead, it is arguing for a conscious, informed, ethical, and human-centric form of progress, and it issues a dire warning against stagnation, repetition, and a lack of thoughtful evolution.
Advocacy for Innovation and Evolution:The monologue explicitly advocates for artistic and societal evolution:"We must break free from the confining circles of pure sound to embrace the infinite variety of noises"
“Music must break from its narrow confines and incorporate the novel, uncharted sounds of the mechanical age"
"Innovation in music is not just desirable; it is necessary for the art form to remain relevant and vibrant"
"To avoid stagnation, we must encourage new composers to push boundaries, to experiment with unorthodox sounds and structures"
"Only in striving for innovation can we avoid the pitfalls of stagnation and harness the true power of music as a force for enlightenment and change"
Critique of Stagnation and Repetition:The album explicitly warns against remaining stagnant and merely repeating the past:"If we fail to learn from the masters and strive for innovation, we are doomed to repeat the same tunes year after year... Such music may be pleasant to the ear but it dulls the mind"
"Those content with repetition must also bear the burden of quarrels’ consequence, for discord will arise and inevitable consequences will follow if progress is neglected"
"Comfort in the familiar breeds complacency"
The "Shrewd Awareness" of Progress: The key lies in the phrase:
"We must approach the future of music with the same shrewd awareness we apply to history, politics, and the human condition. To look forward in music while honouring its past requires a clear-sighted understanding of humanity itself"
This indicates that progress should not be blind or unthinking. It must be rooted in an understanding of history, human nature, and ethics. It's a call for responsible and wise progress.
Critique of Misguided or Corrupted Advancement:The negative outcomes depicted in the album are not blamed on progress itself, but on:Human failings: "Giving into ego, placing lust ahead of soul”, "Collective empathy forgiven”. It's these internal flaws that corrupt the pursuit of progress.
Unthinking Technological Application: "App inflation, app invasion, aptitude none" is a consequence of technology being applied without a "shrewd awareness" of its impact on human capacity and critical thought. It's not the existence of apps, but their unchecked "invasion" leading to a "none" aptitude.
Ideological Stagnation: The deification of "Britannia" is a prime example of an ideology that refuses to evolve, clinging to a rigid, unthinking form of "tradition" that leads to totalitarian control and "killing lies”.
Therefore, "SHREWD, BRITANNIA" argues that true progress is essential for art and society to remain vibrant and relevant. It is a necessary force for "enlightenment and change”. However, it strongly warns that progress without "shrewd awareness” — without learning from history, understanding human nature, and valuing integrity over ego — can lead to stagnation, discord, and devastating consequences like the dystopian society depicted in the album. It's a call for thoughtful, informed evolution, rather than blind technological advancement or ideological rigidity.
Conclusion
"SHREWD, BRITANNIA" functions as a powerful warning against the dangers of unchecked power, ideological extremism, societal manipulation, and the human propensity for ego and complacency. Its message is broadly anti-authoritarian and calls for critical awareness and a constant striving for progress.